OK, so like many others, I've been lurking for a long time, and have had some help from you guys which has been great! So now I've finally got some time on my hands to start my router. My shop has been in need of a cnc for some time now as my business produces some difficult parts to make by hand. I also plan to start making some precision templates for my dealers.
Purchased all the steel locally plus rumaged through their scrap bin for odds and ends.
Ordered the following...all on it's way:
-55" supported hardened rails w/pillow blocks from vxb.com (x axis)
-425oz Xylotex 4 axis kit (2 for x axis)
-3 49" racks (part# 200012) from stdsteel.com
-8mm ID ball bearings (y and z axis)
Hoping to cut:
-49x49x6"
-Mostly MDF, some polycarbonate, acrylic, light aluminum cutting
Plans:
Racks on the side of the table to drive the steel gantry. The Z-Axis will be MDF for now because I have no way of *inexpensively* machining the metal to make mounts... etc, just basic metalworking tools. Still need to buy a PC router, a cable organizer, and misc. nuts and bolts and extras.
This machine has grown from the original design of a 12x12 all MDF/acme router into what it is. I've drawn up (with my limited autocad skills) two different designs which this has changed from, so I'm just kinda wingin' it.
2 questions before ordering any more parts
1. Where do I get gears for my racks?
2. Should I gear down the motors or use a direct drive?
OK - Pictures!
The metal from our local fabrication shop.
All welded together. My poor 944's new home is outside the shop...
The start of the sides of the gantry.